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Seventy hats for seventy years, Is sleeping in separate beds the beginning of the end, The satisfaction of a baking day, Vintage knitting, Beetroot superfood truffles

Thanks so much for the comments I received following my last blog. It really is good getting your messages so please keep writing. As many of you may know I am fortunate to be part of a group of volunteers who man the Spinning Room at the Coal Creek Heritage Park in Korumburra, Victoria http://www.coalcreekvillage.com.au/ . It’s amazing how many visitors tell us that they have a spinning wheel gathering dust at home or that their mother or grandmother used to spin. The male visitors and some little boys are particularly interested in how a spinning wheel works. Each week we are delighted by interesting stories and anecdotes about projects past and present which leads me to:

Seventy hats for seventy years

70 hats for 70 years

A lady (Wendy) who visited the spinning room with her husband last Friday told us that she had recently knitted 70 hats. Apparently when her and her husband both reached 70 they decided to do things in units of 70 and the hats were part of that challenge. As a member of a group of 5 churches in Romsey, Hampshire, England, she participated in the Samaritan Shoebox Project providing children in poverty with gift-filled shoeboxes. A total of 140 hats were in fact knitted by the group.

I had to admit to my ignorance of not knowing anything about the Shoebox project but have since checked it out on the net. If you want more information go to: http://samaritanspurse.org.au

Unfortunately there wasn’t time to find out about all the ‘seventy’ projects except that at the birthday celebration each of their 7 grandchildren displayed a cake with 10 candles.

Wendy kindly agreed to send me an e-mail with a photo of her hats (shown above). If you read this Wendy, thank you very much for sharing your story and do let know what other ‘seventies’ you achieve.

What a unique way to celebrate a milestone in life!

Is sleeping in separate beds the beginning of the end?

As we get older and trying to get a whole nights sleep seems to get harder, I wonder are separate beds or bedrooms the answer? I have read that nearly one in four couples sleep in separate bedrooms or beds, according to a 2015 survey by the National Sleep Foundation. Recent studies in America and Japan have found similar results.
The marital bed, once the symbol of matrimony on a par with the diamond ring and the tiered wedding cake is threatened with extinction. “Till Death Do Us Part” is fast becoming “Till Sleep Do Us Part.” Apparently separate sleepers cite a range of reasons for their habit, including snoring, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, and regular trips to the toilet which cause disturbance to their sleeping partner.

People are suddenly making their own sleep a priority. If their rest is being impaired by their partner, the attitude now is that I don’t have to put up with this.
So what is your view? Do you sleep in the same bed with your partner, or separately? Have you tried sleeping apart? How do you feel about separate beds or separate bedrooms?
Is sleeping in separate beds the beginning of the end?

Personally I don’t like the idea of abandoning my queen size bed for one of those single ones. Seems a bit of a lonely idea to me except I know that circumstances alter cases and there may be no other alternative, so it’s a matter of what triggers the decision. It would be difficult for me to give up that companionship but that’s how I feel at the moment; who knows what the future may hold.

The satisfaction of a baking day

Nothing gives me more satisfaction than a baking day. Well it doesn’t take all day, usually a morning. I get started nice an early usually around 7 am when the house is quiet and still. First off is the bread. I’ve been making bread for more years than I care to remember though I’m not as ambitious as I used to be. I usually make one large loaf and 12 rolls which is more than enough for a week. It’s so therapeutic kneading the dough all warm and silky letting your mind meander around. This morning I reminisced how it used to be the normal practice to have a cake on hand in the event visitors popped in. In my case it was usually a Victoria Sponge. I haven’t made one of those for quite a time. What about you?

Following the bread I make some sort of pie, apple, apricot or rhubarb. Or it could be a quiche. I always have some shortcrust pastry rubbed in and stored in the freezer. Lastly I pop jacket potatoes and a rice pudding into the oven for lunch.

Dough rising

Just out of oven

Apple/apricot pie

Seeing all those goodies sitting cooling on the kitchen bench gives me a great feeling of well being.

Vintage knitting

At the last meeting of our Spinning Group it was proposed that we take up the challenge of knitting an item from a vintage pattern. Christine, our President, had a heap of patterns which she had collected over time and put them on the table for us to browse through. There was much discussion as to what we thought we could knit and recollections of past projects. Then Janet picked up a pattern which brought a huge smile to her face. It was one of a dress that her mother knitted her in white with red smocking when she was about six years old. “That’s what I’m going to knit” said Janet. It will be great to see the result.

I haven’t decided what I’m going to knit yet but I did spot a pattern for a lacy pair of gloves like I used wear on special occasions when I was about 18. Who wears gloves now!

Beetroot superfood truffles

Just before Christmas I went to a cooking demonstration of vegan recipes and one which took my fancy was for beetroot truffles, which sounds a bit odd I know, but when I tasted them they really were good so thought I would share the recipe with you. The recipe is courtesy of http://www.lovebeetroot.co.uk and reads as follows:

Feel good about your next indulgence with these beetroot superfood truffles.They contain no dairy or refined sugar, and thanks to the addition of beetroot and avocado, practically offer up two of your five a day too.They’re a perfectly moreish snack when you’re trying to eat well but still want an afternoon sweet.

Method1. Put the beetroot, avocado, vanilla extract, maple syrup and half of the cacao powder into a blender or food processor. Process until well combined.2. Add the remaining cocoa powder to the blender and again process until well combined. Transfer the chocolate mixture to a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour.3. Once chilled, scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the mixture. Roll in your palms to form balls – the mixture will be slightly sticky but should form balls easily.4. Put some extra cocoa powder and desiccated coconut in a plate and roll the chocolate truffles around in one or the other to coat.

Because it’s Valentine’s Day today here’s a beautiful hibiscus and an appropriate quote: Happiness is ……… being with people you love.

About Janice Graham

I was born in England in 1938 and migrated to Australia in 1976. During my working years, along with my husband Ken, I managed a goat dairy and distribution business supplying health food products. At the same time I took up the challenge of helping build a mud brick home and lived a somewhat 'alternative' lifestyle.
Since retirement I have published three e-books, two on vegetarian cookery and a collection of short stories from my younger years. My pastimes are studying the Spanish language, volunteering as a Crisis Counsellor and Community Visiting.
I have been married for 54 years, have a son and a daughter and five grandchildren plus a little terrier called Sophia.

4 thoughts on “Seventy hats for seventy years, Is sleeping in separate beds the beginning of the end, The satisfaction of a baking day, Vintage knitting, Beetroot superfood truffles”

Thanks again Janice for your very enjoyable monthly blog. I look forward to reading all your articles, and can’t wait to try some of your delicious recipes. Just love your new spinning wheel and carder.

My husband and I sleep in separate beds. I kept the king size and he sleeps in the single. It started after we both had terrible coughs to avoid waking each other but nearly 2 years later we are still happy with the arrangement. We have been married 41 years so we are sure that it makes no difference to our relationship: we just sleep apart. EVERY other aspect of our lives we are together and very happy.

Thanks so much for your comment Janice. I wonder are your beds in the same room. Sounds like separate beds work well for you and your husband and you are both happy with the arrangement. As you may imagine I have received a few comments that I cannot post.